Friday, January 25, 2013

When the school year began Dylan Lee was set on turning his senior year of baseball into a season that would bring him a Division I scholarship.

The Braden River first baseman/outfielder had put together an impressive career and finished his junior season with a .444 batting average that included a .549 on base percentatege, five triples and two homers and 11 doubles. He holds the school career record for homers with seven and will be one of all time leaders in hits when he walks through the graduation line.

Lee felt so good about baseball being the spring board to his dreams he decided to give up football to avoid an injury problems.

About a week before the season after talking with the football coaches at Braden River, the 6-1, 210 Lee changed his plans and came out for football. He had been an oustanding defensive lineman for the Pirates prior to his senior year.

His worst fears hit him almost immediately. In the pre-season game against Booker he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He had surgery in September and is still undergoing rehab.

Despite the injury, Lee said he has no regrets about playing football.

"I wasn't going to play, but I missed it and decided to play," Lee said. "I have no regrets. I am going to DH at the beginning of the season hopefully for no more than about five games. When I got hurt the doctor said I wouldn't be able to play baseball, but I am able to play."

Those colleges who were looking at him as a baseball prospect said they wanted to take and wait and see attitude according to his father Ian Lee.

St. Johns River State College, a two year school for baseball in Palatka, stuck by him and said he had a standing offer. Lee liked the loyalty shown by the coaches and on Thursday signed a scholarship The school that plays in the state junior college athletic association formerly known as the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA).

"Even though the coach there knew he was hurt they offered and we appreciated that. It's a full deal with books and tuition," Ian Lee said. "The (Braden River) coaches talked Dylan into playing and then wouldn't you know it he gets hurt the first freaking game. I knew it was going to happen. He is about 85 percent healthy right now."